Fordham’s Lincoln Center sculpture garden debuts new exhibition, including iconic ‘Hippo Ballerina’
“The Magis Sculpture Exhibition” at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus. All images courtesy of Taylor Ha, Fordham University
New York City’s beloved hippo sculpture, and other whimsical works of art, can now be found at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. On display through December, “The Magis Sculpture Exhibition” adds 11 new pieces to the university’s outdoor sculpture garden, between West 60th and West 62nd Streets. Inspired by fables, art history, music, modern animation, and more, the exhibition complements the garden’s 10 sculptures on permanent display. A highlight of the new installation is Bjørn Okholm Skaarup’s “Hippo Ballerina”—a 15-foot hippo sculpture that draws inspiration from Edgar Degas’ “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” and the dancing hippos from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia.”
Visitors can take a self-guided walk through the sculpture garden, located just across from Lincoln Center, where they can enjoy the beauty of the sculptures set against a meticulously manicured landscape.
“Fordham’s sculpture garden at our Lincoln Center campus is a hidden oasis in the cultural heart of the city,” Fordham University President Tania Tetlow said. “We are delighted to have 11 more sculptures on loan, thanks to the generosity of Fordham Trustee Kim B. Bepler, and invite the public to enjoy a self-guided tour through our beautiful plaza.”
Other works by Skaarup, including “The Frog,” “The Majestic Lion,” “The Giraffe,” and “The Ostrich,” will accompany his iconic hippo sculpture.
Previously displayed at various locations throughout the city, such as Pershing Square Plaza West, Dante Park, the Flatiron South Public Plaza, and the Girl Scouts of America, “Hippo Ballerina” will be on view at 62nd Street. A miniature version of the hippo sculpture debuted in front of 885 Second Avenue in Turtle Bay and was on view through March 2024.
Joining Skaarup’s work are two large sculptures by Jim Rennert, “Timing” and “Inner Dialogue,” which explore the intersection of the business world and the everyday lives of ordinary people. Rennert’s titles complement his visual art, illustrating the physical and psychological experiences common in contemporary society, particularly in urban environments.
The sculptures have previously been showcased in Pershing Square, the Theatre District, and Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza. Acclaimed figurative artists Bruno Lucchesi and Jane DeDecker also feature works that highlight themes of family, nature, and human growth.
The installation comes as part of a partnership between Cavalier Galleries and Fordham University.
“Bjørn Skaarup’s sculptures invite us to see the familiar in extraordinary ways,” Ron Cavalier, President of Cavalier Galleries. “Together with the powerful works of Jim Rennert, Bruno Lucchesi, and Jane DeDecker, ‘The Magis Sculpture Exhibition’ at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience their unique artistic vision in a space that celebrates creativity and community. We are honored to collaborate with Fordham on bringing this remarkable exhibition to life.”
The exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can access the plaza via a staircase on the east side of Fordham’s School of Law, located along 62nd Street.
See a map of the sculpture garden here (pdf).
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All images courtesy of Taylor Ha, Fordham University
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